AOC LM720A
17 inch, 1280 x 1024 resolution, 25ms response time, 350:1 contrast ratio, VGA connection only

Special features: Integrated audio amplifier supplies built-in speakers with 1.5 Watts per channel.  Headphone jack, tilt function



AOC released this TFT in Oct 2002 and at the time it boasted a very good spec for the price tag and is quite a nice looking monitor. Built in speakers are a nice extra touch - although obviously not up to much as far as movies/music goes, they are handy for general office use. With more modern panels around this is obviously quite a rare screen, but still offers some surprisingly good performance, considering the spec and age of the screen.

Many users have reported no ghosting on games such as Vice City, Max Payne 1 and 2, GTA3, Nightfire, Medal Of Honour, Sim City 4, EA Sports games, Return To Castle Wolfenstein and BF 1942 (JOKER / MMX). DVD’s are fine and look extremely sharp as well.

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User Opinions:

BOD: “Get it get it get it….It’s a fantastic monitor. I have absolutely no complaints about mine whatsoever.”

NU GENERATION: “Anybody that’s thinking ‘should I buy one of these?’, go for it. I’d recommend it to anyone….I just played CC, simcity4 & gta3 again to see if any ghosting, I played some games this morning as well to see if ghosting…..Nope, none so far”

GROWSE: “Interesting fact, when I first got mine, I had two major dead pixels. I phoned up AOC themselves, and they said that I should fill out the warranty form for the monitor being DOA. This is because the warranties are handled by a third-party company and within 3 days I had a new monitor with no dead pixels.”

 

Summary notes: One complaint about the AOC LM720A is that it has no DVI connection which is not an issue obviously if you don’t have a DVI GFX card. Other users compare it to other TFT’s saying that it “makes not a lot of difference” (GROWSE) ….“Well, in my mind there is very little difference and I have seen a decent 17" TFT using DVI. OK, it's better than the AOC, but not by a huge amount. I would have said that the analogue connection on DVI monitors aren't as good as the AOC but the DVI is slightly better….It could also just be a thing of preference.” DAZ also says: “Just go have a look at one in a shop somewhere - you'll see DVI doesn't make a big difference at all.” Other users swear by the better quality of DVI, but go see one in action and make your own mind up.

As said in the FAQ section, the lack of a DVI connection doesn’t seem to cause too much of a problem with the AOC. I have seen the LG1710B screen in action in both DVI and VGA mode and can safely say that DVI was noticeably better on that panel. However the VGA connection is noticeably better on the AOC compared to the LG and comparable in my opinion to the standard of the DVI on the LG.

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Some other issues:

GROWSE says: “colours are very vivid but however, there is a slight inconsistency across the screen when trying to produce black. However, it's not too much of a prob.”

I myself have noticed a slight inconsistency towards the edges of the screen particularly top and bottom, but is never noticeable in Windows use, just occasionally on black borders on DVD’s, but the image sharpness and quality is so much better than a CRT that it is hardly an issue.

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Some direct comparisons with the Hitachi CML174 and the Samsung 181T:

APPLEHEAD: “I Did have both the AOC and the Hitachi CML174. I’ve just returned the Hitachi as :- 1) I was not happy with having the only 262k colour TFT display within Hitachi’s range (AU Optronics panel). 2) When using the Hitachi’s DVI connection the display is incredibly bright, it’s too much, even turned down. Ended up using the analogue connection.

As a comparison, the AOC is very good, esp for the price. Side by side the blacks are slightly blacker on the Hitachi, and the Hitachi’s back-lighting is more even. But for long term viewing the AOC is better (IMHO).”

DEMON makes his comparisons:

1. “The ghosting is very very evident on the 720, its actually slightly better then the Samsung 172T/181T, but in fast games, e.g. UT2K3 etc, it suffers quite badly, and to some people (not many) this is OK, but for some its so bad, they find it hard to play at all. The Hitachi is a degree better.

2. The viewing angle is actually OK, the Hitachi's/Samsungs are better., but not massively...
3. DVI connected is noticeably better then the Analogue, although Analogue is pretty damn good, if you can’t spot the difference, then you probably won’t be the sort of person to notice the ghosting either.”